two left feet

T

two left feet (idiom)
/tuː lɛft fiːt/

Meanings

• Being clumsy, especially when dancing.
• Lacking coordination or grace in physical movements.
• Being awkward in general activities requiring physical skill.

Synonyms: clumsy; awkward; uncoordinated; inept; bungling.

Example Sentences

1. I have two left feet, so I always avoid dancing at weddings.
2. She’s having two left feet today—she keeps stumbling during rehearsal.
3. Sarah always says she has two left feet because she trips every time she tries to dance at parties.
4. Mark was embarrassed during the school play since his two left feet made his movements look awkward and uncoordinated.
5. When learning to ice skate, John’s two left feet caused him to fall repeatedly, making others laugh at his lack of balance.

Origin and History

The idiom “two left feet” is widely used to describe someone who is clumsy or lacks coordination, particularly in activities like dancing. Its origins can be traced back to the world of dance, specifically ballet, during the 1700s. In this era, dancers were trained to lead with their left foot, and possessing “two left feet” was considered a compliment, signifying a dancer’s ability to lead with either foot with equal skill. This usage highlighted a dancer’s technical proficiency and versatility.

However, as dance evolved and social dancing became more prevalent in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the emphasis shifted from technical skill to social interaction and enjoyment. In this context, the term “two left feet” began to take on a negative connotation, referring to individuals who struggled with coordination and rhythm on the dance floor.

The earliest widely recognized printed use of the phrase “two left feet” in its figurative sense appears in P.G. Wodehouse’s short story title “The Man with Two Left Feet,” first published in The Saturday Evening Post on March 18, 1916, in the United States, and in The Strand Magazine in May 1916 in the United Kingdom. The story, later included in the collection The Man with Two Left Feet, and Other Stories (UK: Methuen & Co., March 8, 1917; US: A.L. Burt and Co., February 1, 1933), humorously depicts Henry Wallace Mills, a bank teller whose awkward dancing embodies the idiom. Wodehouse describes Henry’s struggle:

“He was not a good dancer. He had a curious style.”

Google Ngram data shows that the usage of the phrase “two left feet” gained a sharp increase in frequency after 1900, indicating that the idiomatic expression became widely popular during the early 20th century.

Origin Conclusion

The idiom “two left feet” has undergone a significant transformation from its origins in the ballet world, where it was a mark of skill, to its current usage as a humorous or self-deprecating expression of clumsiness. This evolution reflects broader changes in societal attitudes towards dance and coordination, illustrating how language adapts to cultural shifts over time.

Body, Numbers

Last update: September 8, 2025 9:23 AM